2008 Saxum James Berry Vineyard 1.5L RP98/WS98

RP98: The 2008 James Berry Vineyard (52% Grenache, 31% Mourvedre, and 17% Syrah) saw some of its Grenache aged in the concrete eggs that are now catching on among some of the top producers on California's Central Coast. With strong minerality from the limestone soil, this exuberant, fleshy, full-bodied wine is already drinking well. (I believe it was actually bottled just a day or two before my visit, which makes its performance that much more remarkable.) Dense purple, with sweet notes of barbecue smoke and meats as well as roasted herbs, extravagant black cherry, black currant, and blackberry fruit are all present in this wine, but there is plenty of underlying structure that comes from both the minerality and the Mourvedre component. Pure, full-bodied, but again, impressively elegant and nuanced, this is a tour de force and another prodigious example of this extraordinary vineyard site.

At points ultrarich, opulent and elegant, providing a broad range
of dark berry, loamy earth, spice and cedar flavors, with touches
of black licorice, sage and tobacco. Powerful yet restrained, gaining
weight, depth and traction on the finish, where this ends with
a peppery minerality that's fascinating. Syrah, Mourvèdre and
Grenache. Drink now through 2022. From California.-J.L.

Stored in temperature/humidity controlled cellar since purchase.
Buyer to pay shipping fees and my cost for styrofoam shipping container.
Buyer agrees to take full responsibility for the wine once the shipping process begins. The seller's responsibility for the wine ends the moment the wine is dropped off at the local shipping location.